Tips for Cruising to Alaska - Page 3 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

grandmawheat · 05-26-2008, 05:18 PM

Wow, what excellent tips. I have been agonizing about how much stuff to take. I think the airlines are going to charge us for the 2nd and third bags that we check. Would the corderoy jeans that I brought on clearance this fall be too much or should I just take regular jeans. We are scheduled to go September 6th 2008. Should I take all longs sleeve shirts or will I get hot and need some short sleeve shirts? How about shorts? Should I take any of them?

hanna · 05-26-2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandmawheat

Wow, what excellent tips. I have been agonizing about how much stuff to take. I think the airlines are going to charge us for the 2nd and third bags that we check. Would the corderoy jeans that I brought on clearance this fall be too much or should I just take regular jeans. We are scheduled to go September 6th 2008. Should I take all longs sleeve shirts or will I get hot and need some short sleeve shirts? How about shorts? Should I take any of them?

Regular jeans if wet are not comfortable and you never know when it might rain. The cords would probably be a better bet. Take both long and short sleeves on the shirts. You can layer them and take off as necessary. Shorts...1 pair shouldn't take too much room and you might never need them. Whatever you do take, have a great time. Alaska is a beauty

Miss Vicki · 05-29-2008, 11:23 PM

First time cruise to Alaska in July. Would like to just explore the ports and not excursion. Will I still have things to see?

hanna · 05-29-2008, 11:40 PM

Vicki,
The towns aren't that much to see. Just the usual tourist stuff. We enjoyed our excursions and they didn't cost all that much.

cruisin' chick · 05-30-2008, 11:22 PM

If you get a good guide book, you may get ideas on places to see. I knew I wanted to see Dolly's House in Ketchikan and that was within walking distance of the pier (we did go on a tour which took us to Saxman's Village,etc., and ended at Dolly's House). In Juneau, we just walked from the pier and did some shopping, and hubby mailed a postcard at the post office (really exciting, huh?). In Skagway, we had an afternoon excursion so in the morning, we walked around. We ran into a tour group and eavesdropped and followed until the guide led them back to the Moore House, which is where the founder of the town lived over a hundred years ago. That actually was interesting and turned out to be free (aside from donating some $ to the donation box at the museum there).

Blizzard · 05-06-2009, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandmawheat

Wow, what excellent tips. I have been agonizing about how much stuff to take. I think the airlines are going to charge us for the 2nd and third bags that we check. Would the corderoy jeans that I brought on clearance this fall be too much or should I just take regular jeans. We are scheduled to go September 6th 2008. Should I take all longs sleeve shirts or will I get hot and need some short sleeve shirts? How about shorts? Should I take any of them?

In early September you could still see temps in the 70's so take that into consideration.

Blizzard · 05-06-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Vicki

First time cruise to Alaska in July. Would like to just explore the ports and not excursion. Will I still have things to see?

Many of the ports have things to see withing walking distance of the ships.

Ketchikan's Creek Street is only a few blocks form the pier. From there we often follow the creek up to the fish hatchery.

Skagway is a good place to just walk around the town. It is not very big.

Big4Chaps · 06-09-2009, 06:04 PM

Thanks for the tips! We 1st visited Alaska's Inside Passage back in 2003 & absolutely thought it was the most beautiful place on earth. We are booked again this Sept. 2009 to do it all over again & I can hardly wait. When we finally set foot in Alaska for the 1st time (in 2003), it didn't just rain, it poured! So, yes, this go around we will be prepared for rain & prepared for the weather to change quickly!Can hardly contain my excitement over seeing it again! Thanks again for the tips....brought back memories on what I NEED to be prepared for!

sayhello · 10-05-2009, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big4Chaps

Thanks for the tips! We 1st visited Alaska's Inside Passage back in 2003 & absolutely thought it was the most beautiful place on earth. We are booked again this Sept. 2009 to do it all over again & I can hardly wait. When we finally set foot in Alaska for the 1st time (in 2003), it didn't just rain, it poured! So, yes, this go around we will be prepared for rain & prepared for the weather to change quickly!Can hardly contain my excitement over seeing it again! Thanks again for the tips....brought back memories on what I NEED to be prepared for!

So how was the weather this time? I was there Sep 1-12, and the weather was SPECTACULAR!!!! I sure hope you were there during that time this year.

Sayhello

Big4Chaps · 10-05-2009, 11:55 AM

I was ready to go back as soon as we left the ship! It was as you describe it "spectacular"!

We left out of Vancouver on the 9-12-09 & returned on 9-19-09. 1st stop was in Juneau & the weather was so very beautiful! The next stop was in Skagway, & again, we had beautiful weather. Got some fantastic shots from the train. By the time we headed into Glacier Bay, the weather was changing to Alaskan weather. It was foggy & damp, but still very beautiful. We were told that it was called Glacier making weather. When we pulled into Ketchikan, it was a drizzle - not too bad. As the day progressed, so did the weather, but still not as bad as I had seen back in 2003. The wind was the problem, causing the ship to try to pull away from the dock. For about 45 minutes the gangway had to be taken down for fear that the wind would knock it around & passengers trying to board would fall between the ship & the dock. The last day on the ship was a bit rough. The captain took a passage outside of where the ship usually goes, trying to find calmer seas. As rough as it was, I have to admit, I have seen rougher seas! So, all in all, it was an excellent cruise!

I heard from the Zuiderdam's crew that the week before (on Thursday) the weather & wind was so bad that they were not able to dock in Ketchikan & decided it was too dangerous to try to tender passengers in. They said it had been gale force winds! Did you encounter any of that?